Dallas' red light cameras may face changes as revenue estimate drops

[DoctorDoom]

Dallas City Hall has idled more than one-fourth of the 62 cameras that monitor busy intersections because many of them are failing to generate enough red-light-running fines to justify their operational costs, according to city documents.

Initial gross revenue estimates for the red light camera system during Dallas' 2007-08 fiscal year were $14.8 million, according to city records. The latest estimate? About $6.2 million. City Manager Mary Suhm on Friday estimated net revenue will fall $4.1 million under initial estimates.

That leaves Dallas government with a conundrum. Its red-light camera system has been an effective deterrent to motorists running red lights – some monitored intersections have experienced a more than 50 percent reduction. But decreased revenue from red light-running violations means significantly less revenue to maintain the camera program and otherwise fuel the city's general fund.

Exacerbating the drain is a new state law requiring that municipalities send half of their net red-light-running camera revenue to Austin and post signs alerting drivers of upcoming camera installations. Also, city records indicate Dallas has lengthened yellow-light intervals on 12 of its 62 monitored traffic signals, giving motorists more time to beat a red light.Dallas' red light cameras may face changes as revenue estimate drops (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/dallas/stories/DN-redlights_15met.ART.North.Edition1.468120d.html)

When the authorities tell the people about their concern for safety. follow the money.

[DeclinetoState]

So basically, the cameras were put in not to encourage people to drive safely, but simply to raise some cash for the city? Imagine that!

[DesertFox]

No surprise. To anybody.

[DeclinetoState]

Except for the naïve, who actually believe the policeman who gives a motorist a ticket is trying to enforce laws enacted to promote safe driving.

[The_Fireman]

A lot of these tickets are just for the money,like the one I got on march 6.No seat belt.I was 5 week out from abdominal surgery and did not want the belt pulling on me.Do you think that made a difference?Not on your life it didnt.This happened on a county road in the middle of nowhere,by the Texas Highway Patrol.You would think he had better things to do ,with U.S.259 a major drug corridor just a few miles away.said he couldn give a warning because he was on camera and that was how he was evaluated.After he gave me the ticket anyway, after I had explained why wasnt using the seat,I told him that he was a nice looking young man and that there was still time for him to go back to school and get some education so he could get a real job.I tried to talk reason with the Judge also and that didn work either.I could not have felt worse about this if sone had held me up with a gun and stolen the $150.its the same thing.its all about money.

[jayson]

This happened on a county road in the middle of nowhere,by the Texas Highway Patrol.

When I'm not in the mood to wear my belt, I wrap the seat belt around my arm so the silhouette looks like I'm wearing one.

But yes, these red-light cameras bug the hell out of me, simply because once the human element is taken away, you have no justice. This is a you're-guilty-end-of-story situation without taking into account any extenuating circumstance.